Lot 211: 1991 TVR Tuscan Challenge Competition Car

Officially launched at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show, the TVR Tuscan Challenge was the brainchild of Peter Wheeler, the millionaire businessman who had made his money in chemical engineering and who would become TVR's much needed saviour after buying the Blackpool manufacturer in 1981. Designed as a marketing tool to promote its production sports cars, and inspired by the success of the works 420 SEAC model during two previous seasons, the inaugural Challenge series began the following year; although originally it was to comprise road-going models producing about 300bhp, the first Tuscan that successfully took to the track in pre-season testing that year had 360bhp, slick tyres and more power than grip - a perfect combination guaranteed to provide very fast, spectacular, oversteer-filled and crowd-pleasing entertainment. Built around an immensely strong spaceframe chassis with all round double wishbone suspension that would form the basis of a new generation of TVR Griffith models, the Tuscan was powered by a TVR developed and strengthened 4.5 litre version of Rover's ubiquitous all alloy V8 engine snorting air through a quartet of twin-choke, downdraught Dell'orto carburettors. Transmission was via a five speed Borg Warner T5 gearbox, as fitted to the Ford Sierra Cosworth, and a limited slip differential and once the wheels had stopped spinning this ultimate Blackpool Bruiser, with an all-up weight of just over 800 kilos, was capable of 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-100mph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of over 160mph. With such potential the TVR Tuscan Challenge overnight became the fastest one make series bar none. Indeed, there was none faster or more action-packed, nothing else came close and it would attract some top name drivers and TVR stalwarts such as the late Gerry Marshall, Jimmy McRae, the late Colin McRae, Steve Cole, John Kent, Colin Blower, Mark Hales and even Nigel Mansell. There were also some top line drivers who declined the invitation to drive the regular celebrity car, such was the high standard of driving and fierce competition. Peter Wheeler, too, was out in most races, his car often acting as a mule developing new components and modifications for future use. With each year the Challenge went from strength to strength - including as a support race to the 1990 Birmingham Super Prix and series sponsorship from Mobil the following year. For 1995 TVR introduced its own, Al Melling designed AJP 8 engine, a 4.5 litre all alloy and fuel-injected V8, using a Formula One style plane crankshaft and producing 450bhp - together with 18 rather 16 inch diameter wheels and a new front splitter and rear, under-body venturi - which would further increase the Tuscan's considerable speed; already its lap times were similar to those of the British Touring Car Championship despite the TVR's comparative lack of agility though the corners. The Challenge also served as a development programme for the AJP 8 engine prior top its use in the forthcoming Cerbera road car. Inevitably, given their pace, some Tuscans found their way to other formulae and one such example is the 1989 car offered here. Delivered new to Hans Tullsten, chassis MGS 001 was subsequently fitted with built-in quick-lift air jacks and campaigned in his native Sweden. Driven by Tullsten and Lars Johnson in the Swedish GT Championship, in which it enjoyed some success, the car also ran in two rounds of the FIA GT Championship finishing in eight position in one of them. For 1997 Tullsten was able to purchase just one of three AJP 8 engines sold by TVR - all those in the Tuscan Challenge were always leased from the company on a yearly basis - and two years later a rear wing and full length undertray were fitted to increase aerodynamic downforce, as well as a purpose-made hardtop (the design of which was later copied by TVR). The Tuscan was then driven in selected events prior to a full rebuild in 2001 when just two races were contested. It was then acquired by Gerard Lopez in Belgium who used the car for track days, in particular at Spa Francorchamps where the car proved to be some two seconds a lap faster than a Porsche GT2. Although purchased by the vendor from Belgium on April 25th 2004 and brought back to Great Britain for use as a track day car, unforeseen commitments have led to this Tuscan being dry-stored ever since. The car, however, has just been thoroughly inspected and checked by London TVR and race preparation specialist Enginuity and as a consequence it is in race-ready condition. Accompanying the Tuscan is a full spares package comprising two OZ split-rim wheels with wet weather tyres, two TSW wheels with wet weather tyres, two TSW wheels, one Tilton twin-plate clutch, two drive shafts, seven sets of brake pads, assorted ball joints, assorted suspension and steering components, exhaust manifold down pipes, one cylinder head gasket set, spark plugs, three fuel filters and two rear lamp lenses; in addition there are two files containing comprehensive race set-up data, including those for suspension geometry and the Ohlins shock absorbers, fuel injection data and settings, detailed wiring diagrams, a copy of the TVR Tuscan Handbook, a copy of the Build Manual for the AJP 8 engine and FIA registration document issued by the Swedish Automobile Sports Federation. In striking metallic silver over purple paintwork, this seriously fast and comprehensively equipped TVR Tuscan is eligible for a variety of European race events in which it is sure, in the right hands, to be highly competitive. Offering remarkable value for money in comparison to cars with similar levels of performance, as well as a thrilling driving experience, this superb TVR, presented in very good condition, would also be ideal as a pure, adrenalin pumping track day car.